Friends Today...Enemies Tomorrow

by JusSonic

Chapter 04: The Destruction of The Mystic Shield

Chapter 04: The Destruction of The Mystic Shield

The scene opens up to where Chase was walking around the outskirts of Ponyville and was near the Everfree Forest. But upon his own purpose to walk, or scout the area, he notices Pinkamena and her group consisting of Golden Heart, Jack Zen, Omega, Sombra, and Autumn Gem. While at the time being, Havis and Hikari are still looking over the capsules and such back at the Secret Dungeon. Chase considers to approach to see what the group was doing by simply greeting them, but then he trends carefully upon noticing a large claw foot out of the forest. Upon Chase’s slow gaze to study, the claw belong to a huge Dragon that was keeping itself conceal by the trees.

“Eep!” Tech yelped from following Chase to keep himself hidden by the buildings in Ponyville, freaking out quietly and covering his mouth to not scream as fear of letting what’s there see him.

“Good boy…” Pinkamena smiled in petting the Dragon’s claw as if treating it like it was…her pet.

“I hope I’m not interrupting.” Suddenly, a voice cuts everyone off from what they are doing to look and see Chase the Warrior was approaching them.

“Oh Chase, we didn’t notice you were here.” Goldie replied off in seeing this guy show up now.

“Miss….is that a Dragon that’s hiding itself?” Chase asked off in looking at the strange dragon hidden within the Everfree Forest to conceal much of its size as possible with little success.

“He’s not just ‘A’ Dragon, Chase! But a Kirin! Hope you’re not too startled!” Pinkamena responded to say in smiling in introducing her Dragon pet pal to Chase.

“On the contrary, I’m used to seeing many large creatures & giants in my times of journeying…but never before have my eyes lay upon this creature.” Chase replied off in studying this creature as it was nothing surprising to see a large Dragon or that of a giant, but it is a first time for a Kirin species.

“Hugh. I suppose it be much better if he was smaller.” Pinkamena thought up to say in suddenly realizing that major point. “Say Azure, could you make yourself the size of a pony please, just for a while?” She asked that the guy shrink down for her to make it easier to mingle than being so large.

“(Hmmm…very well, if I must.)” Azure spoke off in a strange language that only few could understood it.

Soon Azure’s body glows in a little bright light as Chase covers his eyes for a brief moment. As the light fades and then Chase uncovers his eyes, notices that the large Dragon is not up, and from looking down sees something else. It look like Azure, but he was between a hybrid of a Pony while having characteristics of a Dragon; A Pony Dragon Hybrid as some could call this image form upon seeing it.

“Interesting. Pony Dragon…such a sub species not many come across…I thought they were but mere legends of old.” Chase responded off in being calm in studying & feeling slightly surprise to see what Azure is. “Once more, he speaks in the fluent Dragon’s Tongue: Thuum Dovah Vun.” He responded in knowing about such a language that certain Dragons use to communicate.

“You know that language?” Jack Zen raised an eyebrow in never guessing this pony knew how to speak another language.

“I have come across learning what I need to help me in my training to become a warrior.” Chase explained the case in using what he knows to help he get around.

Soon Azure lightly approaches Chase in being about the same size as a pony as he was about to meet and greet with him.

“(I…am Azure Draco Dragon. It seems you are somewhat a warrior that I’ve heard recently about.)” Azure spoke off in his Dragon Tongue in getting to meet Chase for the first time. “(Hmm…?)” He raised an eyebrow in finding something strange to earn his attention off of Chase.

Just then, Azure leans a bit closer to Chase and begins to sniff him, much to anyone’s surprise by what the Pony Dragon was doing. But just then, Azure’s eyes snap wide, lets off a low growl to open his wings and leans low as if about to pounce, Chase recognizes this as a battle stance and also narrow his eyes to get into a battle position as if to expect a fight.

“Woo, easy Azure, easy boy…” But just then, Pinkamena cuts in to pet Azure’s head which she was doing to slowly get him to take it easy. Azure looks to Pinkamena and then stops growling before closing his eyes to sigh in being calm down, but didn’t seem to let off from being ready to attack. “This is strange.” Pinkamena pondered off in witnessing this act that befuddled her.

“What is strange, if I may ask,” Chase raised an eyebrow in having heard this to catch his interest.

“Well he only reacts like that when evil creatures are around. It’s like either an enemy is nearby or near you.” Pinkamena stated to say this while in a bit of confusion at the time.

“Hmmm?” Chase narrow his eyes at the precautions Dragon Pony, first Ben’s Lens of Truth & now a Kirin that senses evil off him, he’ll need to make an excuse here. “It might be some old scents of old enemies I’ve fought, some of their blood may have mix with my fur. Perhaps that is what cause his reaction to me.” Chase closed his eyes to issue this off as a stern serious matter that Azure’s reaction might be from what Chase couldn’t wash off.

“I…guess.” Pinkamena slowly replied off in thinking that could be the answer.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I best be off. Perhaps I’ll have to try harder to remove the scent of evil off of me.” Chase spoke in saying he must leave now, seeing that perhaps his presence upsets the Kirin, he best leave to not cause a scene.

Soon Chase bids farewell to Goldie’s group, but Azure keeps watching Chase leave to go back into Ponyville. While Chase maybe gone, Goldie & the gang saw Azure was letting off a little low growl.

“What’s wrong with Azure? Chase just explain that it was likely scents from an evil enemy’s blood.” Golden Heart raised an eyebrow in seeing that Azure was acting weird even with Chase gone like he was an enemy.

“(I sense something, like he’s looking for something. Something very important.)” Azure spoke in his Dragon Tongue in issuing this that Pinkamena followed.

“Chase is searching for something important?” Pinkamena raised an eyebrow in having been told of what Azure said to her.

“What could he be looking for, the only major thing important I could think about…would be the Mystic Shield.” Jack Zen rolled his eyes to say while making a sarcastic joke of the only important thing that can be look for in Ponyville.

“You forget, WE don’t even know where that is? The Mystics hid it somewhere without telling anyone.” Golden Heart pointed out that they don’t know where the shield is either, the Mystics hid it without telling anyone.

“(Mistress, what if that’s what Chase is seeking? He was searching for something before coming across us.)” Azure spoke in his Dragon Tongue to explain the case that maybe Chase’s target…was the Mystic Shield.

“Wait! Chase is seeking the Mystic Shield?” Pinkamena replied off shock in understanding what the Kirin was saying.

That made some of Goldie’s group become a bit shock to believe, Chase was seeking the Mystic Shield’s location? Tech who was hidden overheard what was said about what Chase might be doing, and from freaking out, runs off.

“Wait Azure, are you saying Chase is after the shield & the evil scent you found might be…?” Pinkamena was trying to put together all the dots before it slowly was starting to come a bit together. “Well then again, many of our new friends we met suspected Chase from some way of thinking he couldn’t be trusted!” She stated in having the feeling some ponies that were Element Users and strong warriors didn’t trust Chase from first sight.

“But….if he’s with any of our enemies and if the Mystic Shield is destroyed…all of the evil forces will attack and then….” Autumn Gem speaking in feeling concern, worried, & scared, she was on the verge to nearly cry until Sombra comes up to comfort her.

“Autumn Gem, my love, we can’t let fear control us…I know what the evil forces will do, but we can’t give in yet.” Sombra spoke every calm word to help ease Autumn Gem while feeling her warm embrace of a hug.

“Okay, we need a plan. Goldie, Omega, you come with me and we can alert the Mystics, the Princesses, the ponies about the danger.” Pinkamena spoke off in getting together a plan to help out in case of trouble. “Jack Zen, Autumn Gem, & Sombra, do the same with the civilians & get them to shelter, if any are willing to fight, then be sure to help them. Find Fila who's shopping to help too.” She explained the second part of what their other group should do in the meantime.

Everyone who heard the plan be mention were nodding their heads in understanding what they need to do here.

“(Allow me to help, I can help by you time.)” Azure spoke in his Dragon Tongue in offering to give aid to the group.

“Alright Azure, try to do what you can if things get messy. We have to keep that shield from being destroyed.” Pinkamena replied off in allowing Azure to do what they can at least. “And if worse comes to it, we’ll need to be prepared if the Mystic Shield is destroyed.” She stated that in some way they need to brace for if the worse truly happens.

“(Understood.)” Azure nodded to usher this off in his Dragon Tongue just before he flaps his wings to take off into the skies; and shall trail Chase from faraway to be unseen.

“Alright, Omega, send out a signal to those in the Secret Dungeon, give the Code: Light Emergency!” Pinkamena told her bot friend to get ready for something in a form of a coded message.

“Understood.” Omega responded off to say while his optic eyes blink in patching through a signal to reach Havis & Hikari in the Secret Dungeon below Sugarcube Corner.

“War may be nearing, but we best be ready. We’ll have a surprise for in store for when some evil forces come near.” Pinkamena silently whispered to herself to matter of what they’ll be doing if it gets rough, then they may have to bring in…some secret weapon.

With that, everyone begins to scatter while everything goes dark at this time. Time is ticking, and if they are not ready, Equestria will be facing a great overbalance on their hands pretty soon….

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At the time within Canterlot Castle, it was already pass the part of when day turn to night when the sun went down & the moon rose up. Celestia & Luna were awaiting in the throne room in preparing to do their duty. But just then, something of an illusion of an image appeared out of nowhere, and it was…

“Rufus…” The Royal Sisters responded in seeing who has appeared before them…or rather, a Memory Image of Rufus.

“I’m making this message brief, you must get a message out to the Mane Six.” Rufus issued forth to explain the matter at hand here of needing the Mane six group, pronto.

“A message, but they are all asleep by now.” Celestia stated that at this hour of the night, everyone’s mostly asleep.

“I can get into their dreams & wake them up Tia.” Luna stated in knowing what she can do to help waken their friends in dreamland.

“I’ve already recruited Bickslow & we’re on our way to the location.” Rufus stated off in mentioning that he got the one he was looking for and the two are on the way.

“Wait, what location?” Celestia responded off in finding that a bit puzzling to her now; Rufus couldn’t mean what she thinks he means.

“I have memory of where the Mystics hid the shield.” Rufus stated off in simply saying he knows where the Mystic Shield is located.

“You do? But how?” Luna yelped in being surprised, how did Rufus knew when that secret was only between the Royal Sisters and the Mystics.

“From your memories of course, I projected them when Mystic Tao told you where they would hid the shield.” Rufus issued off in simply stating how he managed to find out, thanks to these two.

The Royal Sisters were surprised, Rufus managed to learn the secret from seeing into their memories of what they were thinking; crafty if not clever. So Rufus was already being a few steps ahead of everyone else to get things ready.

“But for now, we’ve met across another pony who said he saw the one…Chase act strange. That’s why time is crucial for this part to work.” Rufus stated off to say that they need to act, for the hour is nearly at hand, they got another ally & are going to be working.

“Understood, we shall meet you there.” Celestia nodded off in having been told this message and they shall meet up.

“We must hurry, if the shield is lost, so is Ponyville’s defense.” Luna issued with a stern face of knowing what they are almost about to face.

“Then without warning, the Royal Sisters took off with Luna become like dust and Celestia flapping her wings off into the sky. The race is on and whoever is quicker maybe the winner in what happens to the Mystic Shield.

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The scene begins to open towards Ponyville where there was an abandon rundown pinkish factory with a shield logo on it as it read ‘Shield Hearts Toys & Candy Shop Factory’ on the front. Apparently, it was some toy & candy manufacturing facility. But right now, the scene was zooming in from who was seen walking from underneath a street lamp & it was none other than Chase. As he was seen scooping out the place in question to get a feel for it, & it was here…he felt something weak, but…mystical…was below this place.

“So, this was where those Mystics hid their precious shield…in an old abandon Shield Toy & Candy facility.” Chase muttered off in seeing how the shield the Mystics developed was soon hidden in.

Chase soon approached the factory in seeing that this was a pretty good cover up to hide something so important by placing it not to conspicuous or with much guards patrolling.

“If I had to guess, Laxtinct probably came up with this ridiculous idea, the last place anyone would think to find the Mystic Shield would be in such a random place.” Chase rolled his eyes in thinking random folks like Laxtinct & Pinkie Pie could put the Mystic Shield in a place that had the word ‘shield’ on the front where none think otherwise.

Now Chase goes up to open the doors to the place before entering it. But he never saw a shadow lurking above that landed on the ground outside.

“Grrr…” A growl noise from something tailing Chase is heard while we soon see that it push open the doors to enter to in seeking the one entering the factory.

Soon within the factory, everything was left in an unusable state of where nothing was working. But Chase went pass the toys & candy stuff & soon found a stairway leading down to a secret compound area. Upon arriving in some underground room with some stair rails around the walls, within the center was a sight to be seen….the Mystic Shield. The target was glowing a golden radiance to which it was still active to keep the shield up to protect Ponyville from evil enemy invaders.

“At long last, I have found what I needed. The Mystic Shield…” Chase stated to say before he leaps off the rails to land from a height on the ground before the target. “With it gone, nothing will stand against those of us that wish to conquer this area & all of Equestria.” He stated in seeing this was the chance to obtain what he & the forces of evil are striving for, with the destruction of the shield, it’s their win.

Before Chase was about to approach the Mystic Shield, something flew overhead to land before the guy in blocking his path. From what Chase was seeing, it was none other than Azure in his Pony Dragon form as he leans low in a battle position & lets off a little growling noise.

“I won't let you near this!” Azure spoke in plain English for Chase to understand to not allow him near the shield.

“I see...so, you can talk in the simple language after all.” Chase raised an eyebrow in being curious that Azure can speak clear English as well.

“I can talk & even chew you with my mouth at the same time!” Azure remarked off to say this as a form of a threat.

“So you were the one I felt was following me. Well done, now step aside.” Chase lightly smiled in seeing that he felt something was tailing him, but commanded the hybrid step aside or else.

“You’re not getting by me!” Azure snapped off to say that he won’t let this guy through on his life.

Suddenly, Azure started to attack first by breathing out flames from his mouth. Chase, in having experience in having fought Dragons, dodge that but Azure just flew around quickly to fire another fire breath attack. However, Chase used the Reversing Mirror to reflect the attack back at the Pony Dragon Hybrid, which knock Azure back a bit. From recovering, Azure was about to attack again, but then some light blue flower petals were thrown & were swirling around; Chase was using some form of magic to make the strange flowers appear. Azure was about to attack until he felt his body becoming paralyzed to drop in his tracks.

“Grrrough….what…did you do?” Azure groans to say in feeling himself becoming weaken without warning.

“While you maybe a feared & powerful Dragon, there is one thing that can affect you…Weeping Dragon Flowers.” Chase explained from having used something on the Pony Dragon Hybrid that has affected his body. “They’ll paralyze your body to a state in which breathing them makes you go numb.” He explained in having done this to Azure that he’ll be unable to do much of anything.

“Grrrr…you’re lucky I’m only in this form, otherwise….” Azure growls in fury that if he was a Kirin, he be harder to handle.

“You’ll be too paralyzed to speak much either, be it this form or another, the results won’t change, so save what little you have for now.” Chase remarked off that in any case, the Kirin would have drop to the Weeping Dragon Flowers.

“Why…would you…do this?” Azure spoke off to ask why Chase is doing this.

“There is no reason…only orders.” Chase stated off that he’s doing this because he’s order to.

“Even so, would someone you…truly cherish want you to…do this?” Azure spoke off in bringing up the subject here in the conversation.

Chase glared at Azure as if he was starting to drive his patience very thin all of a sudden. It sounded like this Kirin wanted him to feel guilty over his action, but such matters mean nothing to him.

“You can come out now Tech.” Chase called out in noticing that Tech was hiding from above before having heard his name called.

“Heh-Ahah, good job taming the Dragon, Chase!” Tech laughed off in giving the guy compliment in having subdue the Kirin.

“He won’t be that way for long, we need to end & destroy this shield once & for all.” Chase gaze up to tell Tech this issue about destroying the shield before this Kirin starts to get in their way again.

“Right…” Tech stated off to come down & soon approach the Mystic Shield; time to get down to business here. “The army’s outside, once this baby goes down, they come charging in!” Tech bragged out in what was gonna happen next pretty soon once they take down the shield; they raid Ponyville.

“Chase?” Suddenly, a voice of which match Ben’s voice was heard from a distance.

That’s when Chase turn around, so did Tech & even the paralyzed Azure. From above them by the entrance where they came, the Mane Six along with Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Starlight Glimmer, & Goldie’s crew of Pinkamena, Omega, & Jack Zen are seen. They have arrived on the scene to notice something going down & truly what they see is a shock to see. Of course even Chase along with Tech are surprised, as they were not aware that Luna woke up the group to meet at this area where the Mystic Shield was in danger.

“Oh my goodness! Azure, what happened to you?” Pinkamena asked off in seeing her tough little Pony Dragon was down for some reason.

“It was…grrrr…” Azure was snarling off in looking towards where Chase and Tech are, stating who’s to blame.

“Um…” Tech look nervous in thinking their undercover mission is over, or was it…

“As you can see, this Dark Mystic infiltrated this area & subdue this Dragon while planning to destroy this shield.” Chase spoke off to take the situation in his hand to make a false claim.

“HUGH? TECH!” The Mane Six, Spike, Phobos & Nyx responded in being stun shock, wimpy Tech took down a Kirin; is that possible with is body structure.

"As a pony that once did bad things in the past, even I have a hard time believing this!" Starlight Glimmer stated to say that even she from what bad things she did, can't believe that Tech of all enemies was performing such things.

“Hay, it can happen!” Tech snapped off in feeling like nobody took that seriously; but notice the frowns glaring at him. “Oh right, still being suspected!” He yelped in seeing that since he’s the only ‘bad guy’ in the room, Chase is making up a story to not be expose.

“But how could he take down Azure?” Jack Zen asked off in thinking that taking down a Kirin seem next to impossible to do.

“He used this to repel its attack back & Weeping Dragon Flowers to paralyze the mighty creature.” Chase reveal the Reversing Mirror & the blue flower petals in stating the evidence HE secretly used & put the blame on Tech in which even THAT mama’s colt couldn’t have any trouble.

“The Reversing Mirror!” Rarity gasped off in recognizing that item seen.

“Oh my, that’s a Mystic Weapon!” Fluttershy yelped in recalling what type of weapon that is.

“As in the same bunch we saw in the Mystic Realm with those Total Drama guys?” Pinkie Pie pointed off in recalling that some of the Total Drama Players once had dibs in using the Mystic Weapons, etc. when they were here.

“Yeah Pinkie, exactly like that.” Rainbow Dash lightly nodded her head in stating her random friend was correct.

“How’d Tech even obtain it?” Applejack rub her head in being lost, how’d Tech even snatch a powerful Mystic Weapon type to begin with.

“It doesn’t matter, for now, he’s already told me that an army of Dark Mystics is outside; we need to stop them. I’ll tie up this prisoner.” Chase shook his head in stating that they must attend to business at hand & deal with the Dark Mystics outside while he deals with Tech here; no problem even for him.

“Oh boy, I see where this is going.” Tech groans to feel that while Chase ties him up, the other heroes leave to deal with the Dark Mystic army before Chase then goes & destroys the shield, as nobody will see it coming.

“Well done, Chase the Warrior.” Suddenly, another character appeared in which it was Rufus Lore across the rail of steps from the others.

“Rufus?” Golden Heart spoke off in seeing his friend was here too when this situation was underway.

“What! The famous Minstrel Who Sings under The Red Moon…who can even fight Ultimate Warrior Rank Fighters? Nobody said he was here!” Tech yelped out in seeing this, Rufus is a powerful Element User that even give their best Dark Mystic forces a difficult time.

“Rufus Lore…” Chase repeated off in looking up with his narrow eyes; they were not told about Rufus Lore showing up, & knowing about this masked minstrel’s abilities could be a problem.

“I’m amazed you have Memory of me, 'New' Chase.” Rufus smiled off to say while looking over this situation.

“New Chase?” The baby Dragons repeated off in how Rufus was talking to Chase, saying he was…new?

“What does he mean?” Nyx asked off in not understanding that term of addressing someone.

“I have a memory of when there was another Chase long ago, 500 years ago, when there was almost a time of peace between Equestrians & Mystics.” Rufus spoke forth in bringing up a tale of long ago that caught everyone’s attention now. “But the peace was ruin, by one who fell in love with someone engage to a wicked prince…the one called Chase.” He sadly closed his eyes in issuing that one pony brought a downfall of that manner that ruin collaboration.

That brought a lot of questions to which as Chase listen to this, he started to show narrow eyes at Rufus. The masked minstrel that wasn’t there when the event happened that he was involved made it sound like Rufus Lore really was there, but hidden in plain sight to know about such a history.

“Rufus, what are you saying?” Ben asked off in wondering what it was that Rufus is even talking about.

“It is as said, he has taken the name, Chase, when there hasn’t been one in over 500 years since Dragon Hope used it.” Rufus pointed out the current Chase of today, has taken the alias name used by only one pony & that was Dragon Hope.

“Dragon Hope?” The Mane Six & Ben repeated in having heard that name as Dragon Hope of the past became Shadow Dragon of the present.

“My Memory states that you unlock the Lens of Truth, did you not Ben?” Rufus look to Ben in recalling that the stallion has brought about a new item as of recently.

“Right here, why?” Ben responded off to summon the Lens of Truth, but was not certain why yet…

“I Memorized the Reversing Mirror to know its abilities, it reverses any effect. An attack at the attacker, a heavy object into being as light as a feather & once more…to undo a function of an object.” Rufus stated with a serious voice that the Reversing Mirror can reverse the effect back or undo any effect from an object or person.

"Reverse effect, like as in....keep illusions conceal from being exposed?" Starlight Glimmer stated this off in shock to realize, what this meant if the Reversing Mirror was on the spot with the Lens Of Truth.

“But that would mean…when Ben saw Chase through that lens after the CMC did…” Spike was suddenly thinking back towards earlier yesterday in what happen when they saw Chase through the Lens Of Truth.

“Hay now, are you saying that Chase had the Reversing Mirror on hand before Tech did?” Phobos asked off in trying to understand who had the Reversing Mirror first to reverse an effect.

“Um, hello! I’m still here!” Tech waved out in feeling ignored by everyone in the room.

“Chase, what’s really going on here?” Ben looked at the guy in wanting an answer, there are too many facts being used against Chase to say that he’s not innocent & he’s playing a part in some diabolical matter.

“You must trust me Ben, something is afoot here. Someone is trying to set a trap here.” Chase spoke in trying to get Ben to listen to him, trying to say something to buy him time & make certain that he’s not to be treated as a suspect.

“Heh-Hahah! You got that right, baby!” Then another voice was heard yelling out in excitement that surprised everyone before finding…Bickslow leaping over to land near Rufus. “ELEMENT BLACKOUT ALCHEMY!” Then he stomps his hooves on the ground hard for the next part to come in preparing this spell.

Then without warning, a large purple light with the black-star-shaped & a symbol of Darkness in Chinese was forge in the center from where Chase was dead center it. As dark surge of electrical energy emerge from the ground to surge through the bodies to shock any Element User in that place. Those that have once witness this action yelped with fear in seeing someone has used this & now they’ll be effected as well.

“Eek! This spell is…” Fluttershy squealed in fright in seeing what was happening here that has finished taking effect.

“Oh no! Chase was right! An enemy has done something to us & shut off our elements!” Pinkie Pie yelped in thinking that they are now doom without warning.

“Wait! We did? I know I’m never involved with Dark Curse or the Demon Generals plotting, but even I shouldn’t have been skip out on this.” Tech replied off puzzled in having heard this for the first time, especially using this spell out of nowhere.

"Justl ike what I used on Ben and Pinkamena in Merchant Town." Starlight said, recalling when this happened when she was a bad pony.

"You mean when you were dressed up as the Equalizer and used a stone given to you by Amon Blood to shut off our elements, only for that stone to be destroyed by Arsenal the Arms Stallion?" Pinkamena ask with an arch of the eybrow.

"Yeah, that's the case."

“Wait, something’s different. This spell hasn’t affected us.” Twilight stated in noticing, that no one has had their elements shutdown.

“Nor me.” Pinkamena stated in feeling fine on her side.

“Me either.” Ben stated that his Lens of Truth is still around, so his element isn’t shutdown at all.

“That is because he can focus on who to target.” Rufus pointed to Bickslow in proudly stating what this guy can do.

“Who is that?” Omega asked off in not knowing who this new character is.

“The name’s Bickslow …The Element of Traps User.” Bickslow proudly introduce himself as being who he is, a stallion that holds an element to do traps.

“The Element of Traps!” Goldie yelped in having heard that, so there is another element user and he’s using this label Forbidden Spell.

“Hah-Hah! And our target was center on one guy only below!” Bickslow laugh off with his tongue in stating the real target was no one except whose down on the ground.

“Down there! Down there!” Then Bickslow’s Dolls floated around in commenting the same statement in agreement.

"Down...there?" Starlight Glimmer responded puzzled, what did the guy mean; who was the actual target?

Suddenly, all eyes were focus at the only things at the bottom where the Mystic Heart was. Tech was looking at himself & didn’t feel anything at all wrong with him. But then all eyes look to where Chase was as he was panting to hold his chest & was on his front knee as if trying to hold himself from falling. Apparently, that trap type spell work alright in effecting a target with an element & it appears to be effective on Chase the Warrior, much to the Mane Six & Golden Heart’s party in being confused by what the meaning behind this was.

“Wait, its effecting Chase!” Rainbow Dash yelped off in surprise in seeing the Element Shutdown Alchemy was working against Chase the Warrior.

“Ye mean he’s an Element User too?” Applejack asked off in seeing the evidence at its work that Chase was under the effect of a spell to target Element Users.

“But why are you only targeting him?” Rarity asked off in not understanding why those like Rufus & Bickslow are effecting only Chase.

“Because he is not of who he says he is.” Rufus stated with a serious look that this Earth stallion that has befriended everyone, is not at all whom he claims to be.

“Rrrrrugh…Uuuaarrugh…” Chase was seen struggling to which he felt as if HALF of his element power of darkness was shutdown. “This…can’t…be…” He muttered off to himself, first Rufus & now the guy that holds the element power to perform traps; even an Element Blackout Alchemy to cover him.

“HIYAAAHH/Flopwwwfruvhmmm…” Then something swoop in that was moving faster than light & reveal to be Kilik that knock the Reversing Mirror out of a distracted Chase’s grasp to fall across the floor. “Brrizizizivhhmmm…” And at that moment, Kilik lock Chase against his pole-rod & tug him close to himself & press the guy against the Dvapara-Yuga mirror that’s blue light was flashing & burning at the moment.

“GROOOAAAARRUGHHH!” Chase let off a loud scream as he was feeling something was burning off his body, which at the same time, started to react in fizzling strangely.

“Kilik!” Ben yelled out in seeing Kilik was here, but he was hurting Chase, what the heck is going on?

“Ben! Use the Lens of Truth, shine on us, quickly!” Kilik yelled out for Ben to use his magical lens to now see Chase with it without the Reversing Mirror to aid him.

Ben felt almost hesitant to do so while seeing what was happening, it was almost like everyone’s gone mad. But, despite things as they are, Ben felt like…he wanted to know the truth, the truth about who Chase really was. It may have annoyed him to invade one's privacy, but the chance seems too much not to take. And so, Ben used the Lens of Truth over a struggling Chase & Kilik to pierce through any illusion to reveal the truth. Soon the image that was once Chase the Warrior began to fade away from the Lens of Truth & replace the figure struggling against Kilik was….a SOMEONE ELSE!

“It's over, impostor, or should I say Shadow Dragon.” Rufus issued off in labeling the truth of who the enemy is thanks to Ben’s last touch.

“But Rufus... That's not Shadow Dragon. That’s actually….Herald of Melancholy!” Ben exclaimed off in shock in what he saw, that Chase was…someone else.

This puzzled the others until Ben’s Lens Of Truth cause Chase's disguise to slowly dispersed as his body slowly transformed into the form of Lelouch. And even the lens helped Ben do something to Tech as Tech's body was changing to transform into Celtic.

“Lelouch and Celtic?!” Mane Six responded off in seeing these faces.

“You've gotta be kidding me!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in seeing who they were not happy to see.

“Boo…” Lelouch let off a slight surprise while he was kept lock by Kilik’s pole & felt the sacred mirror burning his evil flesh.

“Oy-oy….What the heck is this?!” Bickslow raised an eyebrow in seeing something fishy go on here as he sent his five tiki heads to secure & watch Celtic to keep her from moving.

“Something is amiss! This can't be him! This isn't Chase's true form!” Rufus narrow his eyes in seeing this was not who they were expecting.

“Then, where is he?! TALK YOU!” Kilik snapped off for those they have captured to explain themselves.

“Urrrgh…you’re lucky your mirror actually is hurting me enough that I find the strength to kill you harder to do.” Lelouch groans a bit from seeing this guy was lucky that his sacred mirror that held a shard of the Element of Light was hurting the guy enough to have it hard to struggle to kill the pony.

“Can somepony tell us what the heck is going on?!” Ben asked off in not figuring out, what the hay is happening here.

“Hah-hah…It's quite simple, Ben.” Lelouch laughed in amusement while ignoring the pain he’s dealing from Kilik’s mirror while still in a grip hold. “I disguised myself as Chase, per these ponies' instruction. They want to prove evidential facts that Chase was trying to destroy the Mystic Shield. And in reality, they want to get rid of him.” The guy made a random accusation about what was going on.

“Is this true?!” Ben looked to those that were in on this.

“Ben, listen to me. He's lying! We weren't trying to do that! We aim to expose a spy who pose to be someone who is not what you think he is.” Kilik spoke to have Ben listen to reason, they were not trying to get rid of Chase; they were trying to find a spy.

“And yet, you tried to frame him. Trap him to prove that he's the enemy, isn't it?” Lelouch questioned off this about what’s happening.

“Hey, you got it wrong. We only were trapping the guy that was gonna destroy the shield of which no one knows where it is.” Bickslow explained the bit of pieces of what was going on.

“Bickslow!” Rufus looked to his friend for speaking too much.

“What!?” Bickslow replied off puzzled.

“I can’t believe this. Why is it that Chase has to be the center of trouble? This is ridiculous! Someone, tell me Why?” Ben snapped off in feeling like he’;s had it, why is it that every time he turns around, Chase is becoming a victim, why?

“Ben, it’s complicated. He’s trying to attack you through your emotions.” Kilik stated in seeing what Lelouch was plotting from the guy making a hidden grin.

“Even still, I don’t think this is helping me understand what is wrong! Why do you or any other veterans feel like you don’t give Chase a chance! Just tell me why?” Ben asked off in having had it, he wants answers about what is the deal about Chase.

“Ben, it’s because…Chase…is Shadow Dragon.” Rufus implored out to simply say this as he flew near to give Ben this news.

“That’s impossible, I saw Chase help us during the Clone Six Rescue.” Ben issued off to say this in having seen both Chase & Shadow Dragon together, they can’t be the same.

“Kid, you gotta know that was a basic Clone tactic for deceiving one of who’s the enemy & friend. Even Azuma reported a sense a clone in your party.” Bickslow shook his head off in stating the truthful fact that it was a clone trick to fool one about thinking the enemy can’t be the other.

“Wha….but that can’t be! Chase was…He can’t be Shadow Dragon cause of….he’s not over a 500 years old!” Ben yelped in trying to figure out a loop of that logic, but there didn’t seem one.

“It’s true Ben, because I was there. Chase is his only alias. There weren’t many ponies that had the name.” Rufus spoke in showing up to Ben in stating this important factor, much to everyone’s shock. “Besides, I already have seen your memory. And believe in me, I would never, ever try to ask the Demon to help us to do this.” He spoke off to say this while looking to Lelouch, they would never ask someone like him to frame Chase for something; they find facts, not place trickery on someone who is truly innocent.

“We were trying to defend the Mystic Shield because that is the enemy’s target. Besides….” Kilik stated off in keeping Lelouch bind in his lock while his mirror hurts the guy to not resist. “Do you actually believe what this Herald says to be true?” He stated that someone like a Herald Of Melancholy can’t be trusted.

“I’m not sure what I believe in! But I am sick of this! It’s time to stop being played around by this game!” Ben exclaimed off in feeling upset while pointing his anger to focus on Lelouch. “Alright, start talking! What are you doing here?! What are you after? If you're after the shield, you would destroy it!” He wants answers, & if this guy was gonna destroy the shield, he would have already been done with it, so why the disguise game.

“You're right. I should have, but I'm not. I'm just here to play with you all. They did ask me nicely after all.” Lelouch smirked off to simply say this in knowing this much.

“Enough with your twisted games! Tell me what's really going on! Or else maybe you’ll change your tune with that sacred mirror itching closer to destroy you for GOOD!” Ben snapped off in fury. He has had enough of these stupid games, he want answers now!

“Fine... Sounds like you're party popper.” Lelouch rolled his eyes to sigh in knowing he’s in no place to argue when given his options. “Give you a hint. A father & son shall fight over the control of Mystic Shield. Who will be the victor? Who will be the defeater? I wonder. It's like playing chess game.” Lelouch smirked off to say this little riddle of a clue here.

“Stop with the riddles!” Ben snapped off in getting fed up with this guy.

“Wait a minute, father & son…if everyone believed Shadow Dragon was the spy, then…” Twilight thought for the moment before she gasped at what she learn. “Mr. Tao! Tao is the father to Shadow Dragon & he has the control of the Mystic Laser Canon. It powers the Mystic Shield! We have to get to Mystic Realm now!” Twilight exclaimed in having understood that hint, of what was happening.

“What?!” Ben yelped off in having heard this to be surprised.

“Tao's in trouble!” Starlight repeated off in having heard this to be shocked.

“What about Mr. Herald?!” Rainbow Dash remotely pointed to their ugly captive here.

“Uh... What Herald?!” Pinkie Pie asked off in looking back at something puzzled & random.

Suddenly, Celtic used some magic to make herself & Lelouch disappear from everyone’s sights. That made many feel concern in knowing, that is not a good thing. The two appeared outside the abandon factory in seeing they made their escape.

“Well, that was fun. I play my part already. Time for the finale. Let's see how you handle the greatest plot twist in the entire history, Ben Mare!” Lelouch made a wicked comment in looking back at the spot, he was laughing until he cringe; his body was still hurt thanks to the Element Of Light; even as a shard in a sacred mirror, it’s purity was harmful even to him to put up with.

“You shouldn't have waste time playing a fool, if I had not pulled you out, you would not survive much longer.” Celtic lectures Lelouch about his action;she had to get them out of there since they played their part.

“Whatever, lets kick back & watch the show.” Lelouch rolled his eyes in seeing they may as well enjoy what comes next.

Back with the others, they have seen the Lelouch & Celtic escape, but they have more pressing matters of concern; Tao maybe endanger…

“Come on, let's go! We have to stop Shadow Dragon!” Twilight issued off in what they gotta do.

“No tellin’ wha dat ruffian will do ta his own kin!” Applejack stated off in imaging something bad could happen.

“Let us come with you, my friends.” Kilik stated that he, Bickslow & Rufus wish to come.

“Yeah! I can set the traps for you!” Bickslow smiled off to say this while his tikis replied off ‘for you’ a bit.

“We must hurry, we can’t waste time!” Rufus stated to say this in knowing time is crucial.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea. After everything, I just…can’t trust things unless I see with my own eyes!” Ben stated off in feeling upset & angry over having recall Lelouch & his words, if he wants to learn the truth…he must see for it himself.

Before anyone could do anything, Ben gallops off at once as he exited the entrance. Twilight & her friends looked concern & worry about him; Ben’s emotions seem to be completely lost & confused in not knowing if he should trust Chase or the others.

“I’m sorry for this. We've gotta help Mr Tao now.” Twilight told the others this about knowing Ben didn’t mean such things, but they have no time to argue.

Afterwards, Twilight & her friends left at once while Goldie’s group, Rufus, Bickslow, & Kilik remain before the Royal Sisters flew in to check on them.

“Forgive us your highnesses. It appears that the plan has come somewhat undone to lead your son astray from blind confusion that has upset & anger him.” Rufus hubby stated in seeing what was done that seem a bit out of plan.

“We know that Chase is Shadow Dragon, but it looks like he’s trying to give Ben a hard time in who to trust. The kid look ready to explode!” Bickslow rubbed the back of his head in what they saw.

“We have to try to save him as he saved to protect me from my own nightmare.” Kilik stated in knowing that they must keep Ben safe, before more trouble arises.

“I understand, but if the enemy succeeds in destroying the true core, we’ll need to defend Ponyville.” Celestia stated in feeling that if the enemy comes, they must be here to defend.

“Don’t worry…I have an eye on them.” Rufus stated to say this in showing a smile across his face.

“What do you…” Luna was about to ask that question that held a hidden mystery….

Just then, Rufus’s image began to fad out of nowhere, leaving many to ponder what was that. Could it be Rufus has left with the others, question is, why…? The scene darkens under more riddles, but hopefully answers will come to light.

-----------------

The scene changes to what is a different location, where Chase & Tech arrived at Sacred Platform within the Mystic Realm. They found several large metallic yet golden wheeled cannons aiming at the portals that led straight to the Equestria. In middle, the cannons were wiring & connecting to a large golden sphere containing pure blue energy-like within.

“Wow! They're really here!” Tech exclaimed in what they saw.

“Whoever send this letter to me, he has done the job very well.” Chase held a letter that told them about this location; how anonymous, but useful.

“Good thing, my Chameleonbots work well & knocked the Guards out.” Tech chuckled a bit while he smiled off in being proud of what he did.

“Either way, set the charges out on the cannons & Mystic Energy Sphere. Time to detonate it.” Chase issued off in what they need to do.

After a while, Chase & Tech headed off as they all set the charges on both cannons & the sphere. The charges were specially made with corruptible Dark Mystic Energy to cause a total meltdown in overloading that which has kept Equestria safe. The plan was simple: First the cannons will go in eliminating the attack of firing. Second will be the sphere, to remove that which would power up the next time the Mystics develop such things. With the cannons gone & their only source of power remove permanently, it will be all over with.

“So you did come for the canons., didn't you, my son?” Tao’s voice is heard from afar…

Suddenly, the two that were planning to leave cease their motion of escape. For Chase turned & glared at Tao, who was standing near in front of the entrance.

“So, you knew about me, didn't you?” Chase exclaimed to narrow his eyes at Tao who has unlock the truth.

“From the day you came & the fighting skills you possessed, nopony have such ability but you & Mystic Ponies.” Tao shook his head in stating these facts.

“He knew?! But why didn't he warn the others?” Tech yelped with worry, the guy knew the whole time?

“Tao, you figured Ben could get easily emotional. And the only way to prove that I am Shadow Dragon, he needs a proof of me & the activities.” Chase explained off in what was the basic means to show the truth of his ruse.

“No. I want to talk with you. I want to bring you home, Dragon Hope. Please turn back now. We can still rebuild our relationship & everything you have done.” Tao shook his head while offering to help this stallion become the son he lost.

“It's too late, father.” Chase exclaimed off with a serious frown.

“It's never too late, son. Please.” Tao insisted that the pony reconsider.

“Your son died when everyone turned against him about love with a mortal. And worse is how corrupt our home is. But I'm giving you a chance, father. Leave now. You'll be fine.” Chase issued off in giving a threatening, but fair choice to let Tao walk away, or be sorry.

“I can't let you do this. You know that.” Tao sighs to shake his head in knowing he can’t walk away this time.

“Then, sorry if I have to do this!” Chase exclaimed off to say this with a stone cold expression.

Chase soon charged in while he readied to punch his target, causing Tao blocked it with his hooves. Chase continued punching & kicking at Tao, who blocked & deflected the attacks swiftly for a few times. And just before Tao could do anything, Chase jumped & gave a swipe kick on Tao's face hard. Chase charged & attacked Tao, who was forced to block & deflected the attacks.

“It doesn't have to be this way. Please, stop!” Tao begged out for his son.

“You were my father! A father who risked everything to defend me! You believed in me! You trusted me! And you loved me! And what did you do when ponies turned their backs on me about Drake Blackstar?! What did you do?!” Chase glared at the old stallion in knowing how things went in the past.

Tao remained silent yet guilty about the manner.

“I’m sorry, son. I really am. For everything.” Tao shook his head sadly for the suffering his son was given 500 years ago.

“Same can't be said from me!” Chase glared at Tao in making that remark.

And just before Tao could do anything, Chase punched on the former's chest hard for a few times. Chase jumped & then kicked him off hard. Tao summoned his five cards as he chanted while firing Elemental Powers at Chase. Chase dodged & deflected the powers while charging straight at him. And just before Tao could do anything, Chase kicked & landed on him down hard.

“It's over, father.” Chase remarked this off to the old stallion.

“Son, please. Think about what you did! Think about your action! Think about Iris Crystal! You spent three years at Ponyville for defending their home.” Tao tried to reach out for his son to know of what he’s done.

“It’s to win their trust!” Chase coldly stated this of what he was only doing, nothing more.

“You're a poor liar, son. You grew a bond with them. You grew in love with them. And above all, you're becoming part of friendship & family, including Iris's little brother. Please, turn back.” Tao tried one last time to get his son to listen to his heart.

Chase hummed in shame before he sighed at this.

“Sorry, dad. It's already too late.” Chase slowly stated this off that it’s too late now…

“Chase!” Then a voice was called out as it belong to Ben’s voice.

Chase looked up & found Ben along with his friends standing before him while noticing the situation.

“So you know!” Chase exclaimed off to mention this out.

“Why? Why are you doing this, Chase?” Ben asked off in seeing Tao lay on the ground & Chase having hurt him; why was the guy doing this.

Suddenly, Chase transformed into the form of Shadow Dragon which made everyone show reactions.

“That's why.” The now revealed true face behind Chase said as Shadow Dragon.

“I don’t believe it! Rufus & the others were right!” Rarity gasped in seeing the true face of the real enemy seen.

“Chase really is…Shadow Dragon!” Fluttershy exclaimed to say this in seeing it to believe it.

“Wow, took almost three years before finding that out, hugh?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed din surprise shock of having seen this.

“So, everything was a lie?! But what about our friendship?! What about our training?! What about everything we did to protect Ponyville and Equestria?!” Ben asked off in feeling like his heart was torn, he let his anger cloud his judgement about Chase being Shadow Dragon by his friends & now the enemy has shown his true colors.

“Everything we did is true. And believe me, I truly enjoy it. But I can't let this get in my way, Ben. Sorry.” Shadow Dragon sighs to say this in while it was good for a while, the masking of being someone else…has come to an end.

“Then please, don’t do this! We can still prove that you’re not evil! ” Ben pleaded as if looking like he’s tearing up in side from having to accept, his close friend was truly an enemy all along. “Don’t do this to me! I don’t wanna regret my decision in not seeing that you are a good pony inside. Just please, tell us that much!” Ben was almost on a motion of feeling like he’ll let off tears of regret if he can’t get through to this guy.

“You know this is not what she wanted; for Iris Crystal. Please, don't destroy everything she wanted for you.” Twilight nodded in wanting Shadow Dragon to not throw away what his old love left for him to do with his life.

Many were in slow nods & agreeing terms & look to plead for Shadow Dragon to reconsider his choice. For if he crosses the line, then there can be no going back.

“It's too late, Ben. Tech, now!” Shadow Dragon shook his head to sadly say, while signaling Tech to move onto their plan.

“Cannons gonna blow in 3…2…1…” Tech smile doff to nod while pressing the explosion trigger.

“Nooooooo!” Everyone called out in seeing this, but…it’s too late.

Suddenly, within the outside location of the Laser Cannons, they were exploding off. The pointed at the portals were soon destroyed, reduced to nothing but rubble & the magical energy expired.

“He really blew up the cannons?” Rainbow Dash looked out in seeing what happened.

“Just like a rat ta be sneaky!” Applejack remarked off in seeing what Tech had gone & done.

“And now….Adios, amigo! One Mystic Energy Sphere kabloomie, coming up!” Tech issued off to say that soon, the last thing to go will be the sphere.

“I think not…” Then someone else was heard speaking & soon blur into the scene near the sidelines for all to see.

“Rufus?” The Mane Six gang replied off in surprise, their ally was here…

“You followed us…but…”Ben was surprised, Rufus came after them even when he let off a bad tantrum…

“This time, the trap will work.” Rufus stated to say this in narrowing his eyes at Shadow Dragon.

“You mean that Elemental Blackout Alchemy thing?” Phobos raised an eyebrow in being curious about what was used before on Lelouch posing himself as Chase?

“Fool….perhaps you never knew, but allow me to tell you. The Element Blackout Alchemy was a spell designed by the Element of Darkness. It will work on others, but it won’t work on me.” Shadow Dragon remarked off as he steps away from Tao to tell anyone that a spell like that won’t work on him since it’s a spell related to darkness.

“I know, that is why…I have memorized it.” Rufus smiled off with confidence in having a different motive in the work

“Hugh…what’s that mean?” Spike replied off lost, what did Rufus mean.

“Memory Make - Element BurstLight Alchemy!” Rufus spoke forth this as he taps his forehead, but then announced something…bizarre!

Then suddenly, a spell circle was seen forming underneath of Shadow Dragon, who believed it was the Element Blackout Alchemy, only this time…it was form of pure blue & white lights. A sudden light voltage surged across his body, causing the darkness of his area to be exposed while he…felt strange.

“GRRUUUARRRRUGHHHH!” Shadow Dragon roared off a painful cry as he was seen struggling before the spell faded, but he fell on his knees. His dark aura faded from his body, his fur was shown some painful burn marks of where the surges of light touched him.

“Shadow Dragon!” Tech yelped in what he saw as he panicked a bit.

“What….is this? This pain…my Element…shutdown…HOW? That was not the Element Blackout Alchemy.” Shadow Dragon clutch himself in feeling strange, his element is not responding, what sort of spell did he get hit with?

“I have memory of a different spell that exist. Combining the Element Blackout Alchemy perform by Bickslow, but utilizing the purity force of the Element Of Light found in Kilik’s mirror, I made this spell to be most effective on Element Users with a Dark Force to shut down their Elements used for evil, & to purify them or burn away those evil…And the effect will last for a full day.” Rufus issued off to mention this about having done something unexpected, he made a new spell version of Element Blackout Alchemy to which it effects beings of darkness, even the very Element of Darkness too.

“Grrr…you invented a new spell by memory! A spell none have ever dreamed was possible! Curses…the letter didn’t mention you were in on this!” Shadow Dragon cursed from feeling that his strength was dropped, he did not foreseen this nor did the anonymous helper tell him about it.

“Don’t worry SD, we’re still on top of this, they can’t stop the sphere from blowing up in 60 seconds. And it being in the Mystic Realm, the reaction will level all the Mystics to keep them from helping in the invasion.” Tech smiled off to let Shadow Dragon know, they will still be on top, as when the Mystic Energy Sphere goes KABLAM, it’ll destroy much areas of the Mystic Realm.

“Wrong, you will not achieve that, what you did may work in the Mystic Realm, but outside it, it will only be a normal explosion.” Rufus issued off to slyly say this in having spoke out what flaw lies in that plan.

“Rufus, what are you…” Ben was about to ask another question, when…

“Memory Make - Warp Teleportation!” Rufus spoke off in seen preparing another move out of the blue.

Then without warning, Rufus teleported everyone but Tao from the area; but even more so, the Mystic Power Sphere was also gone too.

“Aieyah….I must gather the others, this will not be good! This will be very bad!” Tao exclaimed doff in worrying that things are about to get bad, & he must warn his allies of the danger Equestria may soon face.

Everything goes black with Tao hurrying off to warn many of what has transpired.

------------------

Back within the place of where the ambush would have happened, Bickslow, KIlik, Goldie’s group were there while the Royal Sisters went to get things ready for an attack until suddenly, a light flash before them. And soon appearing, was the Mane Six group, followed by Rufus, along with a stumbling Tech & Shadow Dragon on the ground still under the effects of the spell, Element BurstLight Alchemy. And what was also brought was the Mystic Energy Sphere counting down the minutes.

“Wait, we’re back in the old candy factory!” Nyx exclaimed to see where they ended up back in.

“Yo, what happened?” Bickslow asked off in what was the 4111.

“So you did find Shadow Dragon, what about the Mystic Shield…” Kilik saw Shadow Dragon on the ground looking a bit worse for wear, but what about the Mystic Shield; was it safe?

“Unfortunately, it’s too late & we must hurry.” Rufus stated that there is no time to explain, they must getaway while the getting is good.

“Wraaaaaauughhh…..” The Mystic Shield was letting off a strange screeching cry as it was starting to shake the entire area while cracks were forming around it. The trigger device was unleashing a strange darkness to cause harm on the Mystic Energy Sphere.

“Eehehehehehhe…..” Both Pinkie Pie & Pinkamena were making weird noises as if having their Pinkie Senses go off before… “SHE’s GONNA BLOOOOW!” They both shouted off that the Mystic Shield's energy sphere is about to blow up.

“Quick, everyone, outside!” Golden issued off that they need to get everyone to safety here.

“But what about Azure?” Jack Zen asked in seeing the Kirin was still down there.

“He’s a Kirin, he’ll make it out okay. Trust me!” Pinkamena stated to say that knowing her dragon pal, he’s a tough nut to crack.

“We must evacuate the area.” Omega stated off in what they need to do here, right away.

"Everyone, this way!" Starlight Glimmer waved off to the others to head for where they came in.

Everyone was quickly heading out of the door at this time, Ben used his Pegasus Boots to speedily reach the top to join the others. Rufus vanish in a fast instant while Bickslow had his Dolls form some sorta totem pole which he used to fly off on outta here. The only ones remaining were a slow moving Azure that was getting his bearings from the events that blown off the Weeping Dragon Flowers & saw that Shadow Dragon & Tech before him.

“Um, SD….you do have a plan for us to get out before this blows, right?” Tech asked off nervously in seeing they best get out before they are caught in the explosion.

“Fool, we’ll escape by a Corridor of Darkness. Now let’s….” Shadow Dragon remarked the coward’s lack to knowing how they travel as he’ll use his Dark Mystic magic to open one…

“You’re not going anywhere!” Then Azure came to tackle a distracted Shadow Dragon to the ground as they are seen wrestling against another.

“Waaaaugh!” Tech screamed out in seeing that Azure had Shadow Dragon, & worse, the Mystic Energy Sphere's about to BLOW! This is so not good!

“Wraaaaaauughhhh…..” The Mystic Shield's energy sphere lets off a screeching scream while its structure was beginning to crack under pressure & light was escaping, it was blinding everyone in the room…

Then it all goes dark at this time from when something was about to happen….

-------------------

Outside the factory, everything looked fine for a few brief moments until… “Srrupvhmmm…Boomfruvhmmm….” Without warning, light flash from outside the windows before it was soon imploded from the inside as much of it started to crumble a bit. “Drusisisfrufrufruvhmm…” Then an invisible shield that was made by Mystic Magic started to deteriorate itself as it was vanishing bit by bit. The others from Goldie’s group that awaited outside the abandon factory watch something happened above while they notice what happened before.

“Oh no! What’s happening? First an explosion by the old Shield Toy & Candy Factory, now this?” Autumn Gem yelped with worry in what was happening here all of a sudden.

“The Mystic Shield must have been destroyed, the shield around the town is fading!” Sombra stated with a serious face in seeing the disaster that was befalling them.

"That couldn't happen unless the Mystic Shield was...destroyed!" Fila exclaimed in realizing what this could very much mean.

“Everyone, we got bigger problems ahead!” Suddenly, Flutterbat flew in from afar as it was safe for her to be out when it was nighttime, but alerted those here of trouble.

Just outside of Ponyville while the Mystic Shield’s barrier shield was disappearing, a large army of Dark Mystic Soldier ranks were seen awaiting to march in.

“There’s a whole army of Dark Mystics, preparing to launch a full scale raid.” Flutterbat’s voice is heard from stating that there is an enemy’s large army about to attack once the shield has faded.

“The shield is down!” One Dark Soldier stated in seeing what was going on ahead of them.

“We can attack!” A second Dark Soldier declared in knowing what this means for them now.

“Then let’s do this!” A third Dark Soldier announced that they attack and show no mercy.

"What of the cannons?" A fourth Dark Soldier question in being concern.

"The commander just got report, they are destroyed along with the Mystic Energy Sphere. The shield is gone for GOOD!" A fifth Dark Soldier issued off to report this matter of what they have learn.

“Yeeeaaaaahhh….” Soon the roars of a thousand Dark Mystic Soldiers were heard screaming their battle cries as they are about to go into action here.

Arriving on the scene was Celestia & Luna as they landed outside of the former hiding spot of the Mystic Shield. They were too late, the shield that protected them is gone & it not only stop powerful attacks from destroying the town, but weaken any foes that enter Ponyville. With that gone, they must rely on their own strength it seems.

“This doesn’t look good sister. The enemy has waited for this moment to attack once the shield was destroyed.” Luna stated with a serious face in seeing what was happening here, the Dark Mystics are about to lay siege on them with no defense.

“I know Luna, be we won’t give up without a fight. We’ll protect this place as we are princesses with the responsibility for their citizens.” Celestia spoke forth in sounding like a true ruler that won’t abandon their citizens when they need protection.

“Royal Guards, stand ready!” Luna turn back to the large number of Royal Guards they have to help them out.

“Yes ma’am!” The Royal Guards all spoke in being ready to do what they can to help.

“May we have victory this day…” Celestia prayed off in wishing that they can win this battle, or else…all is lost.

Now everyone watches as those prepare while seeing the enemy begin to march from their spot towards Ponyville. This is gonna be a tough call, no Mystic Shield, now enemies will attack from anywhere. But first things first, the Equestrians must survive this battle if they hope to see another tomorrow. What’s gonna happen from here and on through…that’s a question best serve to answer…afterwards…

Author's Note:

Now this chapter really made things get intense. In the next chapter, the Equestrians fight against the Dark Mystics army trying to raid & destroy Ponyville. Azure comes out fine & decides to take on the army along with other heroes in the area. But while that matter is happening, Shadow Dragon is soon in the midst of facing those he deceive to get close, Ben & the Mane Six. However, even in a disadvantage of numbers, his seal element & earlier wounds, Shadow Dragon still proves to be tough for them. Ben struggles from recalling Shadow Dragon having been a friend when he was Chase, & feels unable to fight him, but when he sees those he cares for, those that are his TRUE Friends & his family in danger...Ben will unlock something of a 'new' move to turn the tide. What will happen next from here? Stay tune to find out more...

There was a scene which involves restoring the forgotten memories from "Sunset Shimmer Returns", but due to a pal of mine not liking it, the erasing thing was erased as a result of the reboot in "Cutie Mark ReMark".